Best Dobsonian Telescopes

Dobsonian telescopes are great for those who are interested in astronomy. They are a type of reflector telescope and a great choice if you are on the hunt for a portable telescope.

These telescopes are made up of a sturdy base and a large optical tube that collects a large amount of light. They are relatively easy to set up and use.

Best Dobsonian Telescopes

If you’re looking for the perfect Dobsonian telescope that fits all of your needs, it can be very difficult to find!

The internet is a scary place, and there are hundreds of different Dobsonian telescopes available. If you are looking for the perfect telescope, it can feel like you’re searching for a needle in a haystack (Find out What Are The Two Most Important Properties Of A Telescope?). This is made even worse by the complicated reviews that focus on jargon that is difficult to understand. How will you ever be able to find yourself a portable telescope that fits your needs?! Well, it’s time to stop worrying. This article have you covered! Read on for a list of the best Dobsonian telescopes out there, with pros and cons for each one. Let’s dive in!

Product Reviews Today we will be looking at some of the best Dobsonian telescopes on the market. By the end of this article, you will know exactly which telescope is for you.

OUR TOP PICK

Orion 8944 SkyQuest XT6

EDITORS CHOICE

Celestron – 76mm Classic FirstScope

BEST VALUE

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300p Dobsonian

OUR TOP PICK

Orion 8944 SkyQuest XT6

The SkyQuest Dobsonian Telescope is a very good telescope for beginners. It is affordable and easy to use. This telescope is brought to you by Orion, a very reliable company that has been supplying the world with telescopes for a long time. This telescope is simple to set up and use. Like all Dobsonians it doesn’t require polar alignment, so you don’t have to have any specific skills or knowledge in order to use it. This product is very high quality, and it has a simple design. It is one of the best Dobsonian telescopes on the market. It has some great features, including a 150mm aperture and a f/8 parabolic mirror that will give you a fantastic chance to see the planets and the moon.This Dobsonian telescope has a very stable base. It ensures that you get fantastic images without any vibration. This telescope is very easy to move around, making it very easy to track objects using the telescope.

Pros

  • Great for beginners

Cons

  • Quite bulky

EDITORS CHOICE

Celestron – 76mm Classic FirstScope

This is a very affordable telescope, and it is great for beginners. This is made from high-quality materials and it provides excellent views of the night sky. You will see the planets such as Saturn and Jupiter as well as lunar craters.It is a very stable telescope, and the mount is solid. It is easy to maneuver and easy to use. The telescope has a 76 mm optical tube which makes it absolutely perfect for an entry level telescope user. It is easy to navigate the night sky with this telescope, and you are able to find the objects that you are looking for.This product is also very stylish, so it is great if you want to have a great looking product, too.

Pros

  • Very stylish productGood value for money
  • LIght and easy to use

Cons

  • Quite a lot bigger than products that are similar
  • Has a smaller aperture than other telescopes

BEST VALUE

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300p Dobsonian

This is a great telescope and you can’t go wrong if you choose this telescope. It can be collapsed for easy storage and transportation.

The telescope is a very durable. It collapses very easily so that you can transport it. This telescope has a 1500mm focal length. It also has 720x magnification.

This 12 inch (300 mm) telescope is a compact telescope that is great for advanced users. It has a very innovative design and it works fantastically. This telescope has a 1500 mm focal length and it has the magnification strength of 720x (Check out How To Find Total Magnification).

Due to its large aperture it will provide a great viewing experience.This telescope has a rocker mount which means it is kept stable. They use a 94% reflectivity mirror that delivers exceptional views. The larger aperture allows observation of dim objects.This telescope comes complete with all the necessary accessories. It comes with the two super wide-angle eyepieces of 10mm and 25mm.

The only problem with this telescope is that it is fairly heavy compared to some of the others on the list. It may be too heavy to carry too far.

Pros

  • This is a great telescope overall
  • Comes with all the necessary accessories
  • Large aperture

Cons

  • Difficult to use for beginners
  • Bulky and heavier than other options

RUNNER UP

Zhumell – 10-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

This telescope is a very high-quality telescope. It produces very bright images because it gathers a large amount of light. This telescope has a very sturdy Dobsonian base. This will last for many years, and it can be taken to lots of different locations. There is also an integrated carry handle that can be used for easy transport. This telescope has a 10-inch primary mirror which can give you great views of nebulae, galaxies, planets and lots more!

There is also a built-in cooling fan in this telescope, allowing you to reach the outdoor temperature much faster. This means that you can enjoy the beautiful views much sooner. The telescope comes with some great accessories. It comes with an eyepiece for wide-field views and an eyepiece for higher magnification. You can also use a large number of different astronomical eyepieces!

Pros

  • The compact size means it is easy to carry around
  • Affordable

Cons

  • The quality of the accessories is not great

RUNNER UP

Sky Watcher Classic 200P

This Dobsonian telescope is great. It is both sturdy and lightweight, making it perfect for portability while still being reliable. It is perfect for taking out on great adventures! This telescope is a 200mm telescope that is perfect for beginners. It comes complete with a large aperture, providing it with a bright and bold viewing experience. This telescope is quite heavy despite its portability, so if you are hoping to carry it long distances, it may not be the best option for you. You will have to set this telescope up yourself, but there are some great instructions that will make it clear what you need to do.

It can take a little bit of time, but it should be quite straightforward.

You should just make sure that when you receive the telescope, everything you need has been included in the box.

If you are comfortable moving a heavier telescope and your budget can accomdate the outlay a 200 mm telescope should be what you look for.

Pros

  • Lightweight for portability.
  • Great starting aperture
  • Skywatcher manufacture a large number of telescopes

Cons

  • You have to set this up yourself.

RUNNER UP

Orion SkyScanner BL135mm

This telescope is very powerful, and it has a great optical lens. It delivers great images for both daytime and nighttime viewing.

You will be able to see wildlife and birds very well while also seeing the planets and craters on the moon. 

It offers easy viewing of the night sky, even for those who haven’t done this before. It is a great size, not being too big or too small.

This is perfect for good portability. This telescope comes with many different accessories including lots of great eyepieces.

Pros

  • This is a great telescope for beginners.
  • Includes lots of great accessories.

Buyers Guide

Dobsonian telescopes are reflector-type telescopes. The tube assembly is a Newtonian reflector design. As such a Dobsonian telescope contains two mirrors.

It has one primary parabolic mirror and a flat secondary mirror. These are both located within a tube that has open ends.

There is an eyepiece attached to the focusser on the side of the tube to allow for comfortable observing.

When you land on your objects, the light will reflect off the primary mirror, and onto the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror is flat and is responsible for reflecting the light into the focuser. The eyepiece magnifies the image and forms an image for viewing.

What differentiates Dobsonian telescopes from other Newtonian reflectors is the base (also known as a mount). Dobsonian telescopes are altazimuth-mounted Newtonian telescopes.

Advantages Of Dobsonian Telescopes

There are many advantages of Dobsonian telescopes. These include:

  • They are affordable as they are made out of accessible materials and use a simple mount.
  • They take in more light, so you can see smaller objects much more clearly.
  • You will be able to easily observe deep-sky objects such as galaxies.
  • These telescopes can be homemade as they are made up of parts that are available to everyone.

Size The size of the telescope is something that you should consider when you’re choosing your Dobsonian telescope. The size of the telescope is measured by measuring the diameter of the primary mirror.

Most Dobsonian telescopes are between 6 and 30 inches in size. The majority of them are between 8 and 16 inches in size. These are much larger than telescopes with lenses.

A good compromise between portability and aperture is 8 inches (200 mm).

Portability 

Dobsonian telescopes are compact and portable. When you are looking at the portability of these telescopes you should look at a few different things. If you have thin mirrors within the Dobsonian telescopes, then they will be more portable. These mirrors usually have a 1:16 thickness ratio.

This is very thin compared to other telescopes. For example, Newtonian’s standard 1:6 thickness.

The thinner the mirror, the more lightweight the backing for the mirror will be, too.The way that the Dobsonian tubes are constructed can make the telescope much more lightweight and portable.

These tubes are lightweight as they are designed to be taken out with you on a camping trip or on a hike.

The mount is also very lightweight. It is a basic mount and it can be adjusted in any direction.

Aperture

You should consider the aperture when you are choosing a telescope. This is the size of the mirrors.

Most astronomers want these mirrors to be as thin as possible as it means that you can cut back on the weight and the cost of the product.

Weight 

You should consider the weight of the telescope before you purchase it. This is important because you need to know that you can carry it around yourself when you want to take it out with you.

You also want to be able to set it up easily. The easier the telescope is to set up to more it will get used.

Easy Set-Up

It is important that you choose a telescope that is not too difficult to set up. This is very important as you don’t want to have to spend ages setting the telescope up every time you go to use it.

You also don’t want to have to lug around lots of tools to set up the telescope. 

The Mount 

There are many different types of mounts available. The altazimuth design of the mount is very specific to Dobsonians. These mounts are cheap, simple and enjoyable.

Eyepieces

Eyepieces are a very important thing to consider when you are purchasing a telescope. You can get a wide range of different eyepieces, including a broad range of magnifications, prices and fields of view.

It is important to get an eyepiece that is clear and comfortable. If you want to look at objects in the daylight, you will also need a solar filter for your telescope. This will stop you from damaging your eyes.

For more information on eyepieces you can refer to What Does The Number On An Eyepiece Mean?

Budget 

When you are looking for the perfect Dobsonian telescope, you will have to consider the budget. You need to think about all the features that you want, as well as the budget.

If you travel a lot, it is probably better to opt for a cheaper and more lightweight telescope. This is because you will want one that is easy handled. 

If you are a beginner, then it is better to choose a more basic telescope. It is better to do this and then buy extra accessories later on.

It is important not to overspend early on. You can always upgrade once you have learned the basics.

Final Thoughts

There are hundreds of different Dobsonian telescopes out there, and it can be very difficult to trawl through them all trying to find the most suitable one for you. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have your answer!

The best Dobsonian telescope will allow you to observe the beautiful night sky when you’re away from your home.

Whether you’re on a camping trip or a hike, you will be able to set up your telescope with ease and observe!

Get your telescope today and you will have the chance to enjoy nature through a new lens – no pun intended!

If you would like more information on these telescopes see What Is A Dobsonian Telescope?

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about the best Dobsonian telescopes, hopefully, you will find the answer below!

Read on for some of the frequently asked questions about Dobsonian telescopes.

Where Can You Go With Your Dobsonian Telescope?

You can use these portable telescopes in lots of different places. They are perfect to take camping or to take with you up a mountain, or on a hike.

You are able to carry most of these Dobsonian telescopes around with you, but some may be more difficult to carry than others.

The best place to take your telescope is to what is called a dark site location.

How Much Do Dobsonian Telescopes Cost?

The cost of Dobsonian telescopes varies a lot depending on the type you go for. You can choose to buy a cheaper telescope, or a more expensive one. Your decision depends on the features that you want.

Where Can You Purchase A Telescope?

You can purchase a telescope in a few different ways. They can be purchased online, for example amazon.com.

You can also purchase them in many different stores. It is possible to purchase telescopes from other people, too. They are available secondhand.

What Is The Most Important Thing To Know Before Buying A Telescope?

It is important to take your time when you are purchasing a telescope. You should make sure that you look at all of the different options available and consider which is best for you.

Check the buyer’s guide for some help with this!

What Is A Dobsonian Telescope?

A Dobsonian telescope is a Newtonian-style telescope. It uses a classic reflector system. The only difference between a Dobsonian and a Newtonian telescope is the way that it is mounted.

The Dobsonians are mounted on an azimuth mount design. This means that it can move up and down and left to right.

The Dobsonian telescopes are very popular among beginners. This is because they are very easy to set up and use. To set up this telescope, all you need to do is place the tube on the mount.

Dobsonian telescopes also have great light-gathering skills. When they are compared to the cost of other telescopes, they are very good value for money.

Dobsonian telescopes can be very heavy, but they are also very portable.

Jason Anderson
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